“One night?”

“Yes. Just one night.”

“Fine. One night and then you find a way to let me leave.”

Levi smiled slightly with relief. “Good.”

We walked the rest of the way back to the hotel in silence. I hobbled painfully but refused Levi’s attempts to help me. I knew that he kept looking over at me but I avoided his eyes, I was afraid of what effect it would have on me. I already had to fight the urge to slip my hand into his. He wasn’t exaggerating the physical attraction.

About to head to the front entrance, I stopped when Levi called my name. “I’ll see you soon, I’ll have Hailey give you all the details.”

“Details? What kind of night is this?”

Levi smiled broadly. “Just wait and see. All I’ll tell you is that it’s a party.” He took advantage of my surprise to kiss me lightly on the cheek before walking away.

Chapter Twenty

“I won’t even ask how you got into my room without me.” Pushing the door closed behind me, I immediately noticed Hailey sprawled out on my couch.

“So how’d it go?” Hailey asked. She put aside her copy of People magazine. Hailey really had such a weakness for celebrity gossip.

“Do you even need to ask?”

“It couldn’t have been that bad, right?”

“He said he needed one night to convince me to stay. After that, if I want to leave he’ll find a way to make it happen.”

“One night? Did he mention which night?”

“He told me you would give me the details but that it’s a party.”

“Oh.” Hailey seemed to be contemplating what I said for a minute. “Oh! I bet I know what he’s thinking.”

“What?”

“Hmm, I need to find out for sure. I’ll be back.” Hailey got up and headed to the door.

“Great.”

As I waited for Hailey to get back, I decided to call Dad. I hadn’t checked in with him since the dinner with Levi and thought I should at least try. The call went to voicemail after a few rings. I thought about calling my mom, but I didn’t know what to tell her until I had a better idea of my new plans.

Hailey was gone longer than I expected. I turned on the TV, but daytime channel surfing can only keep you busy for so long.

Right as I was about to give up and head down to the lobby, Hailey burst back into my room. “I was right. You need a dress.”

I turned off the TV. “Excuse me? I have plenty of dresses. What did you have in mind?”

Hailey was already one step ahead of me. She ran into my room, and I followed her. She quickly flipped through my dresses in the closet. “Okay, nothing works.”

“What do you mean? What’s wrong with what I have?”

“They’re not formal enough,” she explained.

“Formal? What kind of party is this?” I walked back out to crash on the couch.

“Okay, promise you won’t get upset.”

“Not a chance I’m promising that.”

Hailey cracked a small smile. “Okay, I figured that much, so at least promise not to be upset with me.”

“Fine. I’ll save my anger for Levi.”

“Well, it’s kind of like an engagement party.”

“An engagement party? Why would that upset me?” Then I thought about what she was saying. “Hold on, whose engagement party?”

“Yours.” She looked down at the ground.

“No way. No freaking way.”

“Remember, no taking it out on me.”

“Levi has to be the most infuriating man on the planet. He tells me to give him one night like it’s nothing, and it’s an engagement party!”

“It’s not exactly an engagement party because you guys are more than engaged, but you get the idea.”

“You don’t actually think I’m going to this, right?”

“I know it seems awful, but what other choice do you have?”

“I should just leave.”

“Yeah and get kidnapped again? Levi has lots of bad traits but he does keep his word. If he says that he’ll find a way for you to leave afterwards, then he’s serious. Why not suck it up and do it? If by the end of the night, you’re not convinced then it’s over.”

“Does this mean we’re going shopping?” I asked.

“Yes! It’s going to be so much fun.”

Hailey’s celebration was cut short as her cell phone rang. “Hello? Oh, hi. Sure, I’ll ask her.”

“Who’s that?” I mouthed.

“I’ll have to call you back.” She hung up the phone.

“How do you feel about meeting Levi’s mom?”

“Why would I want to do that?”

“Because she’s downstairs waiting to come up to talk to you. She’s really a nice woman. Too bad she didn’t rub off on Levi enough.”

“She’s downstairs now?” I gasped.

“Yeah. Should I call back and tell her to come up?”

“Do I really have a choice?”

“Probably not.”

“All right then.” This kept getting worse.

I went to the bathroom to splash water on my face as I waited for Hailey to return the phone call. Looking at myself in the mirror, I cringed. Exhaustion wasn’t a good look on me.

A light rap on the door let me know she had arrived. Hailey got the door while I smoothed out my t-shirt. For some insane reason I cared about what she thought of me.

A beautiful and petite brunette walked in. “Hailey, would you give us some time?”

“Sure, Mrs. Laurent.” Hailey gave me an apologetic look before slipping out of the room.

I stepped towards her and held out a hand. “It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Laurent.”

She shook my hand lightly before pulling me in for a hug. “Call me Helen. We’re going to be family after all.”

I stiffened and pulled away.

“Why don’t we sit down?” she suggested, taking a seat on one side of the couch. I sat down on the other side and looked at her.

“Helen, I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me, but I don’t know if you are aware of what is actually going on with me and your son.”

“You mean he didn’t trick you into entering into a bonding you were unaware of?”

“Well, yes,” I admitted.

“I am well aware of what my birdbrain of a son did to you.”

I tried not to laugh at the use of the term “birdbrain.” How fitting.